By J.N. Campbell
In the GIII Mahony Stakes at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon, Stradale (Yaupon–Twitterpated, by Stormy Atlantic) took the featured race on the card with a late move down the lane and secured the first graded win of his career.
A competitor on dirt for trainer Steve Asmussen after going for $1.3-million during the OBS April sale, Stradale, was a well-beaten fifth in the GI Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct last October, which was third career race. The bay then broke his maiden at Churchill Downs at the end of that month and finished off his season with a third-place finish in the Ed Brown Society Stakes in Louisville in late November.
The Asmussen trainee cleared an optional claimer at Oaklawn Mar. 5 to start his 3-year-old campaign and lost by a neck in the Bachelor Stakes in Hot Springs May 1. Stradale was sixth in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes at the Spa June 6, but switched to the turf upstate, which yielded a fourth-place ending in the GIII Quick Call Stakes July 19.
Up against a heavy favorite in 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' Outfielder (Speightstown) as a 7-1 shot here, Stradale rated nicely behind Intricate Spirit (Complexity) from the bell.
The 3-year-old remained on hold looking for his chance to pounce up the backstretch and through the far turn. Asked for his best at the top of the lane, Stradale responded well to take the prize. Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) was a game runner-up.
“I think the break made the biggest difference today,” said Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi. “I think he likes to run a little closer like that. Jose [Ortiz] said when he jumped out of there like that, it gave him some confidence and then he was able to put him on the bridle. He finished up strong.
Stradale with Jose Ortiz | Sarah Andrew
“A horse like him that's really talented… the Yaupons seem to be doing it all, winning all over at every level,” he added. “I thought we saw enough in his last race that we'd give him another shot today. We're glad we did.”
“He always showed speed before on the dirt, unfortunately last time he wasn't able to be close,” said jockey Jose Ortiz. “Today he was. He broke very alert, and the other horse [No. 4, Intricate Spirit] decided to go, so I just sit off him and [made a run] at the end. He was traveling very good every step of the way. You worry if they're going to like the soft ground, and he was traveling well at the three-eighths pole, but you don't know until you turn them loose. When I turned him loose and he gave me another kick, I was very happy with him.
“The other horse [Intricate Spirit] is a very nice horse and it surprised me that he backed up that quick, but it helped me because I was able to wait a little bit longer and hold off the closer.
“Oscar's Hope [No. 3], I actually worked him last week on the turf for Kinnon [LaRose, trainer] and I liked what I saw on him. Today, he ran [good] on the grass as well, so it's cool for them, but I'm glad I was on Stradale today [laughs].”
Pedigree Note:
Stradale is the first to the races for Twitterpated (Stormy Atlantic), a full-sister to GISW Stormy Lucy, and a half to the mother of GSW Shifty (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSW Big Runnuer (Stormy Atlantic). He has a juvenile half-brother named Empire Penguin (Classic Empire) still in the wings. The dam has not produced any offspring since those two, and was bred to Jackie's Warrior for 2027.
The third dam is MSP Lucinda K (Red Random), who claims SW Thatswhatimean (Belong to Me) and GSW Moonwalk (Malibu Moon) to her tally. Her former daughter is herself the granddam of Malibu Mischief (Goldencents) and the great granddam of SW-Ire Yaupon de Replay (Yaupon). The latter daughter is the granddam of SP Snowhomish (Rock Your World).
Stradale is the fifth graded winner for his sophomore sire (by Uncle Mo), joining Albus, Local Knowledge, Booked and Sippin Pretty. –P. Szpyra
STRADALE gets his first stakes win in the Grade 3 Mahony Stakes at 7-1 under @jose93_ortiz for trainer Steve Asmussen. pic.twitter.com/1xLWoD0z83
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 16, 2026
Sunday, Saratoga
MAHONY S.-GIII, $225,000, Saratoga, 8-16, 3yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.34, fm.
1–STRADALE, 120, c, 3, by Yaupon
1st Dam: Twitterpated, by Stormy Atlantic
2nd Dam: Here Comes Lucinda, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Lucinda K, by Red Ransom
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($285,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL; $1,300,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Kaleem Shah, Inc.; B-Richard Bremer & Cheryl Sprick (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $123,750. Lifetime Record: 10-3-2-2, $388,300. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Oscar's Hope, 122, c, 3, Twirling Candy–Hopeful Princess, by Not This Time. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Kinnon LaRose. $45,000.
3–Rebel With a Cause, 122, g, 3, Leinster–Glenwood Pines, by Mizzen Mast. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($10,000 Ylg '24 OBSWIN; $37,000 RNA 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Tristar Farm LLC; B-David John Osterholt (FL); T-Lauren Robson. $27,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 1. Odds: 7.10, 16.49, 12.60.
Also Ran: Outfielder, Learntodiscover (GB), Big Destroyer, Intricate Spirit.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel Racing.
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